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CBC has opened up the . @TOwolfpack / Sonny Bill Williams stream. Looks well attended. But none of them are eating mini-wheats in their pajamas like me #RugbyLeague #RugbyDisrupters21 #SeeTheeRise
Martin Vickers: "The main agenda for today is meeting a true great of all time...This is not just someone who has excelled in one sport, but across four disciplines...of the 21 people who have won multiple World Cups, Sonny has the greatest win ratio of all" #RugbyLeague
Bob Hunter: "To say it's an important day for our franchise is clearly an understatement." Says winning Grand Final this year and sitting next to Sonny Bill Williams are two biggest achievements in Wolfpack's history #RugbyLeague
Brian McDermott: "We've signed, clearly, a world-class talented player. But we've also signed a brand. And he's been building that brand for a number of years. We as a club are going to use that brand to make Toronto Wolfpack and Super League bigger" #RugbyLeague
McDermott discusses the dinner the two had in Japan. 'If this doesn't go well, he's not signing with us.' Then broke down his key question: 'Are you coming to be a Rugby League player?' Describes the dinner as the two 'kicking each other in the shins with questions #RugbyLeague
McDermott: Sonny Bill Williams' transition to Rugby League is going to take some time. He's not going to be at his best in Round 1. It's my job to make sure he's at his best in the final third of the season #RugbyLeague
SBW: "As a sports man, what better environment, what better pressure to test yourself? I love what Toronto is trying to achieve. I talked with David (Argyle) and our goals were in line." Says he's only aware of Toronto making contact around World Cup time. Not Feburary or earlier
SBW: 'I feel like the way I try to play the game, I could be really suited to his (McDermott's) style of game. The amount of support they get back in Toronto is insane. It's a journey, but it's exciting.' Says he watched some Wolfpack games during WC when TO made intentions clear
SBW: It's not what 'what if I fail'. It's 'what if we succeed and I'm a part of it.'
'Before the World Cup I was intending on staying in New Zealand. But once this opportunity came up I couldn't turn it down.'
#RugbyLeague
'Before the World Cup I was intending on staying in New Zealand. But once this opportunity came up I couldn't turn it down.'
#RugbyLeague
SBW on negotiations during World Cup: 'I live by the mantra of 'live where my feet are'. After we were eliminated by England that's when we really sat down.'
Williams left everything entirely in his agents hands while he was playing. Didn't get involved until after ENG.
Williams left everything entirely in his agents hands while he was playing. Didn't get involved until after ENG.
McDermott: 'Whenever you're talking recruitment and the answer isn't a 'no', that's a good thing.'
Coach on the timeline of recruiting SBW
#RugbyLeague #RugbyDisrupters21
Coach on the timeline of recruiting SBW
#RugbyLeague #RugbyDisrupters21
McDermott on a story from Agyle: 'Our team name starts with Toronto. If anything happens with Warrington, or Hull, it starts with that.'
'What Toronto are doing, is making people around the world take note of Super League'
#RugbyLeague
'What Toronto are doing, is making people around the world take note of Super League'
#RugbyLeague
McD: There were a billion eyeballs on SBW in the RWC semi. Now those eyeballs are wondering where he's going and turning to Toronto.
This is paraphrasing, but McDermott's point is that now people know who the Wolfpack are. Some of those eyes will follow SBW. That's the goal
This is paraphrasing, but McDermott's point is that now people know who the Wolfpack are. Some of those eyes will follow SBW. That's the goal
SBW: 'I'm happy here. I'll be 36 once this contract ends. My wife may end up loving Toronto. We may end up staying' on his future and maybe returning to Australia.
Reveals the boxing clause has always been in his contract
#RugbyLeague #RugbyDisrupters21
Reveals the boxing clause has always been in his contract
#RugbyLeague #RugbyDisrupters21
SBW on Holiday comments: 'I know there's a lot of baggage, I want my teammates to know that's my intention. When I say I'm coming to work, I'm doing the things people don't see'
'We have a really strong squad. They played 2nd division but had a super league squad.'
'We have a really strong squad. They played 2nd division but had a super league squad.'
SBW on comparisons: It's two fold. For myself, I don't think you can compare me to those individuals, but that's a matter of opinion'
As a man of faith, everything is glass half full. I could look at it as 'this mountain is to high to climb'. Instead it's 'what if we do succeed'
As a man of faith, everything is glass half full. I could look at it as 'this mountain is to high to climb'. Instead it's 'what if we do succeed'
SBW: I know you guys you need the clickbait, the headlines. But for me I'm a sportsman. I have to be where my feet are. When it's time to get it done, let's go.
#RugbyLeague
#RugbyLeague
SBW: Brian's been really transparent with me about his expectations
The first 10 rounds I'll be trying to get in line with how Toronto plays and earn respect.
I'm a physical player, but it'll be nothing new
The first 10 rounds I'll be trying to get in line with how Toronto plays and earn respect.
I'm a physical player, but it'll be nothing new
McDermott: The bloke's an athlete and I look forward to seeing what he can do
Sonny's challenge isn't getting used to Toronto, it's getting used to Super League
What I'm not going to do is make this guy play to a structured system that doesn't fit him
Sonny's challenge isn't getting used to Toronto, it's getting used to Super League
What I'm not going to do is make this guy play to a structured system that doesn't fit him
SBW on moving his young family: We're going to have four young kids, so she (his wife) won't be here until April. A few of the boys have young families, so the road has already been walked in that respect.
#RugbyLeague #SeeTheeRise
#RugbyLeague #SeeTheeRise
Did you ever think you'd play in Super League?
SBW: Probably Not.
I mean did I ever think I'd be an All Black? Probably not.
SBW jokes that McD used his boxing acumen to draw him in.
What drew the two together was the way coach spoke about the sport, his team, their goals
SBW: Probably Not.
I mean did I ever think I'd be an All Black? Probably not.
SBW jokes that McD used his boxing acumen to draw him in.
What drew the two together was the way coach spoke about the sport, his team, their goals
